Amigos address bullying by promoting the importance of inclusion.

During the 9^th Annual Bullying Awareness Week: November 13 – 19, 2011, Amigos will be leading a button campaign in schools to promote inclusion, understanding and acceptance in creating caring school communities.

Heads Up for Inclusion is a small non-profit organization that runs the Amigos program - an inclusion program targeting ALL youth who experience significant barriers to inclusion, with special priority given to students who have an intellectual disability. The Amigos program currently runs in 8 intermediate and high schools within the KPRDSB.

The Amigos program uses peer support and mentorship through matching:  

• Amigo participants - students who face barriers to inclusion, together with
• Amigo connectors - students who are well connected and supportive of others.

Amigos are experts in the art of inclusion!                                  

Amigos will be accepting donations in exchange for buttons, to raise funds towards supporting inclusive activities and trips that promote opportunities for students to develop meaningful relationships. Button slogans include: ‘inclusion is the solution’, ‘I’m OK, you’re OK’, ‘celebrating people and the power of friendship’, ‘We belong together’.

Amigos will also have the game of Spinclusion set up at the button tables. Students will be encouraged to spin the wheel and answer a skill-testing question related to ‘all things inclusion’ for a chance to win an Amigos button!

Amigos are using lots of fun ways to get the word out during the 9^th Annual Bullying Awareness Week that ‘Inclusion is the Solution’ and ‘We belong together’.

Schools that will be participating are:

PCVS – Monday Nov. 14

Kenner CVI – Nov. 14 through to Nov. 18

Kenner Intermediate – Tuesday Nov. 15

TAS – Nov. 14 through to Nov 18

Lakefield SS – Friday Nov. 18

Amigos sporting their buttons!

Some important related links:

www.bullyingawarenessweek.org

www.bullying.org

www.hollandbloorview.ca/bloom/f_bully_proofing.html

www.beheardantibullying.info

www.headsupforinclusion.ca

www.communitylivingpeterborough.ca

 On June 22nd, at our last board meeting of the 'year', Laura Challice received The Lucinda Hage Founder's Award:

For unwavering dedication to the promotion of full and meaningful inclusion for youth with intellectual disabilities in our schools and communities.

Laura has been involved as a committee and board member for Heads Up for Inclusion since its inception.  Laura is also an active member of People First - an advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities; a committee member of Community Living Peterborough; a committee member of the City of Peterborough's Accessibility Advisory Council: the Council for Persons with Disabilities; and last, but not least, a member of the Young Women's Leadership Group: a group that focuses on leadership and education, bringing awareness to the community through presentations about the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Laura is now stepping down from the our board to pursue other involvements and interests.  We have been honoured to have her with us for so long, and wish her all the very best in many more accomplishments to come!!!  Thank you Laura!!! 

Amigos in the Community pair: Kelly and Ashley helped youth at The Bridge with their fundraising initiative.  The Bridge is a service that provides after school programs, mentorship and more to youth, find out more at  www.youthunlimitedkaw.com  

Together the group made personalized buttons for all the youth to wear at their upcoming fund raising event.   While making buttons there was a lot of creativity and laughter, and discussion about inclusion: what that meant to them, in their schools and with friends.

Fun was had by all!  Good luck at the fundraiser!!

Amigo's student leader, Kate Hewitt, from Kenner Collegiate, and friends, helped set up an Amigo's booth at the Blue Sky Event on May 3rd celebrating National Youth Week.  Passers-by got to stop in and make their own buttons that message the importance of inclusion....and learn about the Amigo's programs.